"If only I could play the original."
I'm normally firmly in the "eh whatever" camp for remakes, but I felt inspired by Klonoa Phantasy Reverie and the strides PCSX2 has made in general. This list is more like a guide, I plan to make stuff like this on my own neocities at some point with more detail/hand-holding but for now I want this to exist somewhere. TLDR mainly focusing on games that have botched remasters/remakes, and how to play their original or definitive versions as best you can.
I'm not going to explain how to get the ISOs, ROMs or stuff like BIOS files; but https://emulation.gametechwiki.com should be your primary resource and they explain how to "rip" the aforementioned. Totally unrelated but QBitTorrent is a fantastic torrenting client with fairly straight forward setup and I recommend checking the trackers on the wiki instead of sites like archive dot org.
Entries without notes are WIP. List is sorted alphabetically, grouped by notes vs blank. I'll also add significant changes as "updates" at the bottom of this description.
Feel free to comment for more suggestions, ideally games that aren't as straight forward or had less than ideal remakes/remasters.
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Thanks to...
Nowhere, for helping with most of these and frankly carrying.
SlapOnToast, for pointing me towards some of the Resident Evil stuff.
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Additions/changes below, most recent at top of list.
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Update 04/20/23: Added Advance Wars. Updated 3DAS SM64 section with recommendation for Rosalie's Mupen GUI.
Update 01/20/23: Updated Shadow of the Colossus notes. TLDR can play at 60 flawlessly via RPCS3.
Update 09/29/22: Updated Sly Collection notes. TLDR patches/cheats/3rd party memory cards may softlock the game, happens on original hardware too.
Update 09/06/22: Added basic recommendations for Chrono Trigger/Cross. Added Pac-Man World Re-Pac.
Update 08/28/22: Ratchet & Clank 1 plays very well on the latest PCSX2 Nightly, MASSIVE jump in performance over 1.6. Only occasional slowdown on friend's system now vs big chug before.
Update 07/14/22: Added drag 'n' drop configuration files for Klonoa 2 via PCSX2 to notes.
Update 07/12/22: Changed SADX's notes to direct to SADX Mod Installer instead of BetterSADX. The latter is likely fine but the community says to use the former lately.
I'm not going to explain how to get the ISOs, ROMs or stuff like BIOS files; but https://emulation.gametechwiki.com should be your primary resource and they explain how to "rip" the aforementioned. Totally unrelated but QBitTorrent is a fantastic torrenting client with fairly straight forward setup and I recommend checking the trackers on the wiki instead of sites like archive dot org.
Entries without notes are WIP. List is sorted alphabetically, grouped by notes vs blank. I'll also add significant changes as "updates" at the bottom of this description.
Feel free to comment for more suggestions, ideally games that aren't as straight forward or had less than ideal remakes/remasters.
================================================
Thanks to...
Nowhere, for helping with most of these and frankly carrying.
SlapOnToast, for pointing me towards some of the Resident Evil stuff.
================================================
Additions/changes below, most recent at top of list.
================================================
Update 04/20/23: Added Advance Wars. Updated 3DAS SM64 section with recommendation for Rosalie's Mupen GUI.
Update 01/20/23: Updated Shadow of the Colossus notes. TLDR can play at 60 flawlessly via RPCS3.
Update 09/29/22: Updated Sly Collection notes. TLDR patches/cheats/3rd party memory cards may softlock the game, happens on original hardware too.
Update 09/06/22: Added basic recommendations for Chrono Trigger/Cross. Added Pac-Man World Re-Pac.
Update 08/28/22: Ratchet & Clank 1 plays very well on the latest PCSX2 Nightly, MASSIVE jump in performance over 1.6. Only occasional slowdown on friend's system now vs big chug before.
Update 07/14/22: Added drag 'n' drop configuration files for Klonoa 2 via PCSX2 to notes.
Update 07/12/22: Changed SADX's notes to direct to SADX Mod Installer instead of BetterSADX. The latter is likely fine but the community says to use the former lately.
26 Games
The Wii version has higher quality audio while retaining the original art. DS emulates perfectly these days.
Thanks once again to Nowhere for helping me.
Thanks once again to Nowhere for helping me.
GBA emulation has been a solved science for well over a decade, and for you homebrew enthusiasts it's "available" on WiiU virtual console.
GIF walkthrough + step by step description to play the freeware version via RetroArch: https://imgur.com/a/UgqbZl7
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Update: Other native PC port with widescreen, basic QoL (head to the releases page, they're standalone) - https://github.com/doukutsu-rs/doukutsu-rs
NOTE: You can drop the exe in Cave Story+, using the new engine but with all of the additional content of CS+. This is probably the best way to play the game.
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Huge shoutouts to Nowhere for helping me with this.
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Update: Other native PC port with widescreen, basic QoL (head to the releases page, they're standalone) - https://github.com/doukutsu-rs/doukutsu-rs
NOTE: You can drop the exe in Cave Story+, using the new engine but with all of the additional content of CS+. This is probably the best way to play the game.
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Huge shoutouts to Nowhere for helping me with this.
Once again, should run perfectly in something like Duckstation or Beetle PSX.
There's a shotgun of answers here but in its purest form, Chrono Trigger on the SNES is probably the easiest way to play the game via something like Snes9x. Feel free to check out patches made for the game too.
If you want the updated content of the later PS1/DS versions, I'd recommend checking out and modding the PC port with the translation flavor of your choice and such. I don't really see a point in the DS or PS1 ports in current year when the PC port exists and can be modded to your exact liking.
If you want the updated content of the later PS1/DS versions, I'd recommend checking out and modding the PC port with the translation flavor of your choice and such. I don't really see a point in the DS or PS1 ports in current year when the PC port exists and can be modded to your exact liking.
Same as Spyro, stand-in for the og trilogy. Should emulate perfectly via Duckstation/BeetlePSX.
Just forwarning you need a fairly beefy CPU, ideally one with maybe 6 threads to spare, but plays near perfectly on RPCS3 once configured even with the 60FPS patch. There's even a third party server you can use to get online functionality back with the added bonus of using messages to set your world tendency for you. I'd argue this is the definitive way to play DeS.
bloodstains playback at 2x speed, it looks really funny.
https://rpcs3.net/
Configuration/setup guide - https://wiki.rpcs3.net/index.php?title=Demon%27s_Souls#Configuration
Third party server - https://thearchstones.com/
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I also recommend grabbing the following mods, please read their install instructions carefully when patching your DeS directory.
Lens flare fix (mandatory, personally I grab the one that only fixes LF but leaves DOF enabled, but you do you) - https://www.nexusmods.com/demonssouls/mods/3?tab=files
Hi-Res Font Update w/ Button Glyphs (also fixes gray outline on HUD when upscaling) - https://www.nexusmods.com/demonssouls/mods/53
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Once again, thanks to Nowhere for helping me through this.
bloodstains playback at 2x speed, it looks really funny.
https://rpcs3.net/
Configuration/setup guide - https://wiki.rpcs3.net/index.php?title=Demon%27s_Souls#Configuration
Third party server - https://thearchstones.com/
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I also recommend grabbing the following mods, please read their install instructions carefully when patching your DeS directory.
Lens flare fix (mandatory, personally I grab the one that only fixes LF but leaves DOF enabled, but you do you) - https://www.nexusmods.com/demonssouls/mods/3?tab=files
Hi-Res Font Update w/ Button Glyphs (also fixes gray outline on HUD when upscaling) - https://www.nexusmods.com/demonssouls/mods/53
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Once again, thanks to Nowhere for helping me through this.
Not gonna lie, I've loathed writing about this one. The decomp projects have been taken down so I can't easily just point to those, and even then compiling them isn't as straight forward as say SM64's. I wish I could put something more useful here, but for now, follow the PC Gaming Wiki's entry on these or otherwise emulate them (read their respective wikis on compatibility too)
Should run 100% perfectly with defaults via Duckstation (Swansation in RetroArch?) or Beetle PSX.
As of 07/08/2022 the latest PCSX2 Nightly runs this practically perfectly with the software renderer.
Finished a full playthrough via PCSX2, software renderer works perfectly and hardware renderer only had one minor graphical error in one stage minus the faint lines on the UI and split sprites on main menu/save screen/staff roll. Minimal pop-in even in widescreen, most notable during the ending. Other graphical error is the shading missing on the giant monster things that eat enemies/try to eat Klonoa in hw renderer.
Finished a full playthrough via PCSX2, software renderer works perfectly and hardware renderer only had one minor graphical error in one stage minus the faint lines on the UI and split sprites on main menu/save screen/staff roll. Minimal pop-in even in widescreen, most notable during the ending. Other graphical error is the shading missing on the giant monster things that eat enemies/try to eat Klonoa in hw renderer.
Currently a WIP on Xemu, not recommended unless you're tolerant of graphical errors and balancing emulator jank.
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It is however natively playable on Xbox One consoles and on ($10)
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If you have an og Xbox consider homebrewing your console to HDD load.
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It is however natively playable on Xbox One consoles and on ($10)
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If you have an og Xbox consider homebrewing your console to HDD load.
Original PS1 game runs perfectly via Duckstation / Beetle PSX.
R&C1 plays extremely well via PCSX2 Nightly.
Ideally just run the PS1 Director's Cut (NOT GREATEST HITS) edition, should emulate perfectly via something like Duckstation or Beetle PSX.
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The 2002 GameCube release is a little more than a remake but not quite a reboot, I recommend checking out if you're a big RE fan; it's neat as its own thing kinda.
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The PC ports can be made very playable/acceptable through the following fan patching project here - https://appleofeden.de-doc.com/index.php/downloads/resident-evil-classic-rebirth/
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Shoutouts to Nowhere for helping me.
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The 2002 GameCube release is a little more than a remake but not quite a reboot, I recommend checking out if you're a big RE fan; it's neat as its own thing kinda.
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The PC ports can be made very playable/acceptable through the following fan patching project here - https://appleofeden.de-doc.com/index.php/downloads/resident-evil-classic-rebirth/
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Shoutouts to Nowhere for helping me.
The GameCube release would be the least hassle, plus there's this extremely well-done upscale project that comes with a tuned build of Dolphin here - https://www.reshdp.com/re2/
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It's worth mentioning the Dreamcast version is practically the same but has the neat bonus of the VMU telling you how much ammo is in your gun.
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PS1 version emulates perfectly via Duckstation or Beetle PSX if you want that good ol PS1 jank.
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The PC ports can be made very playable/acceptable through the following fan patching project here - https://appleofeden.de-doc.com/index.php/downloads/resident-evil-classic-rebirth/
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It's worth mentioning the Dreamcast version is practically the same but has the neat bonus of the VMU telling you how much ammo is in your gun.
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PS1 version emulates perfectly via Duckstation or Beetle PSX if you want that good ol PS1 jank.
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The PC ports can be made very playable/acceptable through the following fan patching project here - https://appleofeden.de-doc.com/index.php/downloads/resident-evil-classic-rebirth/
Once again, GameCube release is probably the best bet here also with its own competent upscale project - https://www.reshdp.com/re3/
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Again, Dreamcast version should be identical but has the neat bonus of the VMU telling your health.
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PS1 version emulates perfectly via Duckstation or BeetlePSX.
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The PC ports can be made very playable/acceptable through the following fan patching project here - https://appleofeden.de-doc.com/index.php/downloads/resident-evil-classic-rebirth/
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Again, Dreamcast version should be identical but has the neat bonus of the VMU telling your health.
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PS1 version emulates perfectly via Duckstation or BeetlePSX.
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The PC ports can be made very playable/acceptable through the following fan patching project here - https://appleofeden.de-doc.com/index.php/downloads/resident-evil-classic-rebirth/
This includes both season 1 and 2 remasters. The originals are included as DLC on Steam and GOG. If you're desperate there's a Wii port of the first two seasons.
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Also not related to this guide, play the og Sam & Max Hit the Road it's on GOG :pleading_face:
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Also not related to this guide, play the og Sam & Max Hit the Road it's on GOG :pleading_face:
This was one of the earliest games PCSX2 got running more or less perfectly. Due to lack of slowdown this version will also have the same "slippery"-ness of the PS3 version, which imo is minor outside of time trials.
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The HD release on PS3 has some minor timing issues, but otherwise mostly playable.
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The PS3 release also emulates perfectly via RPCS3, even allowing 60FPS + upres without any issues after following the wiki's suggestions. For perfect upres + 60, set resolution scale threshold to 640x640 and vblank frequency to 120.
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The HD release on PS3 has some minor timing issues, but otherwise mostly playable.
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The PS3 release also emulates perfectly via RPCS3, even allowing 60FPS + upres without any issues after following the wiki's suggestions. For perfect upres + 60, set resolution scale threshold to 640x640 and vblank frequency to 120.
This is a joke entry. The remaster is incredibly well done and restores cut side content even. Wish this kind of faithfulness and care were applied at large to remasters.
All three should run perfectly on PCSX2 Nightly (1.7.#+), test configs on the wiki don't suggest issues even while upres'd.
UPDATE: Game may softlock while running patches. I softlocked at the end of level 1 where a key wouldn't open a gate. Creating a new save, playing through as normal and everything functioned this time... Bizarre.
In PCSX2 for my successful test run on the level after the office (level 2?), I changed the following: Right-click Sly -> Emulation tab -> enable cheats, enable per-game settings, enable no-interlacing patches -> Advanced System tab -> Enable Game Fixes, Enable Compatibility Patches.
UPDATE: Game may softlock while running patches. I softlocked at the end of level 1 where a key wouldn't open a gate. Creating a new save, playing through as normal and everything functioned this time... Bizarre.
In PCSX2 for my successful test run on the level after the office (level 2?), I changed the following: Right-click Sly -> Emulation tab -> enable cheats, enable per-game settings, enable no-interlacing patches -> Advanced System tab -> Enable Game Fixes, Enable Compatibility Patches.
Use SADX Mod Installer to patch the Steam release, features lots of mods including the Dreamcast restoration project - https://sadxmodinstaller.unreliable.network
Sonic is kind of a doozy to tackle but the least hassle way is to use something like Genesis Plus GX. 1-3&K should play perfectly there and I recommend changing the audio settings to Nuked YM2612 and enabling the low-pass filter.
For you widescreen freaks there's these projects:
Sonic 1 - https://teamforeveronline.wixsite.com/home/sonic-1-forever
Sonic 2 - https://teamforeveronline.wixsite.com/home/sonic-2-absolute
Sonic 3 AIR - https://sonic3air.org/ (the ideal way to play 3&K imo, adds a lot of optional features and QoL)
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Sonic CD (Steam 2011) Restoration Mod: https://gamebanana.com/mods/50089
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Huge shoutouts to Nowhere for helping me find all this stuff.
For you widescreen freaks there's these projects:
Sonic 1 - https://teamforeveronline.wixsite.com/home/sonic-1-forever
Sonic 2 - https://teamforeveronline.wixsite.com/home/sonic-2-absolute
Sonic 3 AIR - https://sonic3air.org/ (the ideal way to play 3&K imo, adds a lot of optional features and QoL)
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Sonic CD (Steam 2011) Restoration Mod: https://gamebanana.com/mods/50089
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Huge shoutouts to Nowhere for helping me find all this stuff.
Putting this here as a stand-in for the entire classic Spyro trilogy, the originals emulate perfectly via Duckstation/Beetle PSX emulators. (this is one of the better remakes in general though imo, especially the rescued dragons' redesigns... :hot_face: )
SM64 has the PC decomp with a million patches/tweaks i.e. 60FPS, also emulates practically perfectly via Project64 or Mupen core in RetroArch (for standalone I recommend Rosalie's Mupen GUI). Former can be a little bit of a hassle to compile yourself but look around, ya know?
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Sunshine is on Dolphin and thus solved + 60FPS patch, check out Nintendont for USB loading on Wii.
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Galaxy 1 and 2 both play perfectly in Dolphin and have fantastic community-made 4k texture packs, however getting wiimotes to play nice with Dolphin can be a hassle. Do some reading on Blutooth USB dongles that play nice with Wiimotes, read customer reviews specifically talking about this. I'll update with a suggestion after I test mine.
Super Mario Galaxy 1 HD texture pack - https://forums.dolphin-emu.org/Thread-super-mario-galaxy-1-hd-texture-mod
Super Mario Galaxy 2 HD texture pack - https://forums.dolphin-emu.org/Thread-super-mario-galaxy-2-hd-texture-mod
You can also USB load these on a Wii with something like USB Loader GX.
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Sunshine is on Dolphin and thus solved + 60FPS patch, check out Nintendont for USB loading on Wii.
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Galaxy 1 and 2 both play perfectly in Dolphin and have fantastic community-made 4k texture packs, however getting wiimotes to play nice with Dolphin can be a hassle. Do some reading on Blutooth USB dongles that play nice with Wiimotes, read customer reviews specifically talking about this. I'll update with a suggestion after I test mine.
Super Mario Galaxy 1 HD texture pack - https://forums.dolphin-emu.org/Thread-super-mario-galaxy-1-hd-texture-mod
Super Mario Galaxy 2 HD texture pack - https://forums.dolphin-emu.org/Thread-super-mario-galaxy-2-hd-texture-mod
You can also USB load these on a Wii with something like USB Loader GX.
22 Comments
The Super Mario 3D All Stars Collection on Switch is probably an obvious example here
OG resi 1
Ninja Gaiden Black
You can also play Crash and Spyro in their original forms on PS3, via the PS1 Classics releases. Yeah, you'll have to access the storefront via the PS3 itself since they were delisted from the webstore, but still perfectly doable.
@Dief88 I'm trying to outline the best ways to play these games, not literally every way; otherwise the SM64 decomp means I'd have to list it for, if I had to guess, around two dozen different platforms and all their quirks. I'm just focusing on the best methods for playing these which is, most of the time, on a PC.
Haven't heard anything bad about the Ace Attorney collection before, why's it on the list?
Some people don't like the redone artwork (most common complaint is the Judge in particular), I don't think it's bad but I want to point back to versions with the og artstyle. I should rewrite the list description at some point, but basically while I'm focusing on mostly bad jobs, I think it's worth commenting on even "good" remakes i.e. SotC, DeS.
Worth mentioning that there's the Classic REbirth patches for the PC versions of Resident Evil 1+2+3 (as well as Dino Crisis): https://appleofeden.de-doc.com/index.php/downloads/resident-evil-classic-rebirth/
Thanks, I'll update the notes for the RE entries.
I mentioned it before but Ratchet & Clank (2002) is another one. It can be emulated on PCSX2 but it's more CPU intensive than most PS2 games, iirc.
FF XII?
What's wrong with cave story+
The Cave Story entry is mostly regarding the Switch release where it uses some fugly 3D model for water and terrain textures immediately fade out in (imo) a kind of awkward way that makes it look like levels are just awkwardly floating in space. Comparison vid: https://youtu.be/Y2kduludVCk
@Bjoangles4th ohh gotcha, I thought the redone art was just the art from the originals just not compressed since it's not on a handheld anymore?
No, even on Wii where they could have used higher quality art, they didn't. They redid the art for AA trilogy.
@Bojangles ah I see, the art looked so similar it was hard for me to tell but fair enough
You should add the House of the Dead remake
I'm not really sure how I'd approach that since the original was an arcade lightgun release.
Could not agree more with chrono trigger. Let me play it with the duperior ted woosely translation.
MalditoMur
1 year ago